McLean in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Marcy, Virginia

A Civil War Defense of Washington

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 5, 2009

1. Fort Marcy, Virginia Marker

Inscription. The Virginia approaches to the Chain Bridge were guarded by Fort Marcy on the old Leesburg Turnpike and Fort Ethan Allen on the Military Road. The sites were occupied by Union troops on September 24, 1861, and the earthworks completed in short order. Fort Marcy was named for Brig. General Randolph B. Marcy, Chief of Staff for Major General George B. McClellan. The armament consisted of 17 guns with one platform vacant and 3 mortars.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Defenses of Washington series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1771.

Location. 38° 56.044′ N, 77° 7.527′ W. Marker is in McLean, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It can be reached from George Washington Memorial Parkway 3.9 miles west of U.S. 29, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mc Lean VA 22101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Fort Marcy (a few steps from this marker); Auxiliary Battery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Inlet Locks (approx. 0.4 miles

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

away in Maryland); Pimmit Run and Chain Bridge (approx. half a mile away); The Mouth of Pimmit Run (approx. half a mile away); Chain Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, Northwest 4 (approx. 0.6 miles away in Maryland); Clay and Randolph Duel (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McLean.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Arlington County / Fairfax County (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Fort Marcy Park. National Park Service (Submitted on December 10, 2013.)

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 3, 2024

2. Fort Marcy, Virginia Marker

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 3, 2024

3. Fort Marcy, Virginia Marker

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 17, 2026

4. Fort Marcy, Virginia Marker

Like the Auxiliary Battery Marker nearby, this marker is worn and damaged (and vandalized) and is beginning to lose legibility.

Fort Marcy Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 5, 2009

5. Fort Marcy Park

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 5, 2009

6. Fort Marcy Park

A Potomac Heritage Trail sign in the park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 5, 2009

7. A Potomac Heritage Trail sign in the park

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,223 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 10, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on March 12, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 10, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.